DISCIPLESHIP

a follower of Jesus, you are called to a path of discipleship. When you begin any journey, it is helpful to see where you have come from and where you are going.

The graphic (on the next page) can serve as your map or Discipleship Pathway. We journey with Jesus and grow in our relationship with Him. But what does that look like?

The journey begins when you RESPOND to God’s action in your life. At that point, you immediately become His child, His follower. You are welcomed into His kingdom to live forever with Him.

BY: MARILYN MILLER

But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name. John 1:12

But what’s next?

REDIRECT . Sometimes quickly, sometimes over time, things begin to change in our lives after deciding to follow Jesus. Some things no longer seem as important as they once were. Some of your lifestyles and habits are no longer as appealing, and you realize they may not be pleasing to God. With His help, you make some changes. You adopt new rhythms into your life. In the past you didn’t see a need to talk to God. In this new relationship, you want to talk to Him. You see the Bible as being the way God talks to you. Being in community with other believers is appealing, because you see them as brothers and sisters. Your life becomes “redirected.” Just like a houseplant leans into the sunshine, you lean in toward things of God and away from things that are not of Him.

REFINE . As you grow in your faith, you continue to refine your life and replace old ways with new ones. Back to the houseplant theme, sometimes you have to refine plants or cut them back so they can grow in a healthy way.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

As Jesus’ disciple, you want to be more and more like Him. Things like serving others begins to take priority as you learn about Jesus’ consistent love for others. Worship becomes important. Jesus served others and Jesus worshiped His father.

REPRODUCE . Simply stated, Jesus made disciples and He challenges you to do the same. He wants you to be a disciple who makes disciples.

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” Matthew 28:19

At Faith Church we talk about being ambassadors for Christ, representing Him in our homes, schools and workplaces. This allows others to see how being a disciple of Jesus changes our attitudes, our responses to difficulties and our love for others. This way of life is countercultural to the world we live in. People become attracted to “whatever you have.” That is a critical way to reproduce.

You are not alone on this path. God provides you with a community of believers, a forever family surrounding and helping you.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF ON THE GRAPHIC?

Are you a new believer? Or maybe you haven’t yet made that decision. Are you in the refining or redirecting stage? Or maybe you are in the reproducing stage. If you have been following Jesus for two weeks or 20 years, we all have room to grow

The Discipleship Pathway will be made available as a handout sometime in August. When you receive a copy, be sure to review both sides so you can see what resources are available to you to help you move forward and take your next step closer to Jesus.

GROWING WITH JESUS

Respond Recogniton of God’s action

Redirect Adapting to new rhythms of life

Refine

Reflect Jesus Reproduce Be a disciple who makes disciples

“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:34-35

Timeline

8-10 Weeks Out

4-6 Months Out

> Weekend series developed (Bible passages selected; teaching focus)

> Worship Leaders brainstorm creative elements for the series (testimony videos; scripture readings; ministry tie-ins; visuals needed; etc.)

3 Months Out

> Worship Band members scheduled (staff, volunteers, musicians)

> Tech Team members scheduled (staff, volunteers)

> Worship & Arts Director and Communications Team finalize key creative elements for the weekend

> Series graphics created by Communications Team

> Video elements discussed & brainstormed

6 Weeks Out

> Worship Leaders brainstorm song selections to align with Scripture passages, series and theme

> Filming of testimony and/or announcement videos

Have you ever wondered what all goes into orchestrating worship for a weekend service?

Each week, across all of our Faith Church locations, we come together to craft a worship service that is devoted to bringing people to an encounter with their Creator. Our goal is that even the minute details of a worship service reflect Christ from the moment people enter the Worship Center until they exit our parking lots.

It is our prayer that these services inspire and grow those who are followers of Christ and His church. We also hope they are presented in such a way that it makes it easy for those who are connected to invite the disconnected in their neighborhoods, families or workplaces. God is the one who changes lives, but we can be used by Him to extend the invitation to experience His love through worship with a church family.

2 Weeks Out

> Worship Leaders finalize song selections

> Worship Band: Arrangements and keys selected; sheet music prepared & printed

4 days out

> Worship & Tech Teams rehearse

> Program created by Communications Team

5 days out

> Each location’s Worship Leader + Tech Director + Teaching Pastor meet (Plan flow of service, announcements, prayer, etc.)

3 days out

> Production Meeting held with all ‘key leaders’ to discuss flow of service

> Worship stage set

> Prayer over weekend service

> Lighting programmed

> Stage set-up

2 days out time for worship!